In an age where pet cameras and home surveillance are more accessible than ever, one puppy’s reaction to being left alone has captured the hearts of internet users.
Racking up more than 1.3 million views on the TikTok account @loki_theredtri, the video shows Loxi, an Australian shepherd, spending his time anxiously waiting by the door, peering out of the window for his owner’s return.
The opening scenes of the clip show Loxi lying on the floor. The text reads: “So what did you do while I was gone today?” It is followed by footage of the dog staring out of the window and pacing around with no interest in his toys. In the comment section, his owner wrote: “I work 100% from home and only went grocery shopping. Its important that you can leave a dog alone at home.”
Training Your Dog to Be Left Alone
Indeed, it is crucial for owners to teach dogs how to be comfortable by themselves to prevent behavioral issues, according to the American Kennel Club.
Many puppies experience anxiety when left alone, which is why the AKC suggests a training method known as “alone time training.” This is essential during the early stages of puppyhood and includes the following strategies:
This training, crucial during the early stages of puppyhood, aims to prevent the development of separation anxiety.
Newsweek previously spoke to experts to find out how long a dog can be left alone for. Wendy Hauser, founder of Peak Veterinary Consulting and a special adviser to ASPCA Pet Health Insurance, said it depends on a few factors.
Hauser added: “The time a dog is left alone is often based on their need to use the bathroom, which is typically every six to eight hours. Factors that impact the length of time a dog can be left unattended include the age of the pet, the dog’s breed and the dog’s activity level.”
TikTok Reacts
At the time of writing, the video captioned, “My heart,” has over 223,000 likes, and this poignant scenario is not unique to Loxi, according to the comments.
“We have an indoor camera since 2 weeks for our dog. It’s not good for my peace of mind becuz everytime i watch him on my phone he is sitting on the couch facing the door waiting for me to come home,” posted one user.
Another wrote: “When I leave the house, my dog stay in the living room! he doesnt even play with his toys.”
A third commenter added: “It always breaks my heart when I have to leave.. now I simply can’t.”
“If loyalty was a video,” commented a fourth user.